Multiple control switch



Aug. 26, 1930.

w. WALKER MULTIPLE CONTROL swITcH 2 Sheets-Sheetl l Original Filed Sept.5, 1925 llfwmll nl o HAMM H li, H

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3% ORNEYS Aug. 26, 1'930.

w. L. WALKER l MULTIPLE CONTROL swITcH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original FiledSept. 5, 1925 INVENTOR. W///bml Wav/ien .25% l5 l ORN 5 Patented Aug.26, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM I.. WALKER, OF NEW YORK, N.Y., ASSIGNOR TO WALKER SIGNAL & EQUIP- MENT CORPORATION, A CORPORATIONOF DELAWARE MULTIPLE CONTROL SWITCH Original application led September5, 1925, Serial No. 54,699. Divided and this application filed February3, 1927. Serial No. 165,606.

This application isa division of application, Serial No. 54,699, filedby me September 5, 1925. y n

My invention relates to switches that are designed to control aplurality of electric circuits by the movement of a single switch handleinto various positions including an ofi position depending upon theapparatus or devices designed to be placed in operation, but it is alsoapplicable to other uses, such as sonic direction finders, fire controlof guns and various intercommunicating systems.

Unusual conditions must be met in the de sign and installation ofswitches, such as are comprised in this invention, owing to their use onshipboard .where they are often surrounded by moist and salty air andare subjected to very heavy shocks. in spite of which and otherconditions the apparatus must be absolutely depended uponto function atthe proper time with a minimum of attention and effort on the part ofthe operator.

In thepresent application I have described the details of a preferredAform of switch which I have found to be very eticient and reliable inactual use.V and which may compriseany number ot poles with a relativelysmall number of parts so that it may be installed within a small cabinetor box. together with other apparatus constituting the instrumentsemployed in receiving the submarine signals. The arrangement of theswitches in relation to the other aparatus and instruments` used isdescribed and claimed in my copending application Serial No.54,700..filed September 5. 1925. l

For a detailed description of the preferred form of mv invention.reference may be made to the followingsnecitication and to theaccompanvinu drawings forming apart thereof. in which Fig. 1 is a sideelevation of my improved switch showing;r the panel on ywhich it ismounted in section; v

Fig. 2 is a horizontal or axial transverse sectional view takensubstantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

' Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View* taken substantially on the line3-3 of Fig. 1;

i Fig. 4 is a similar transverse sectional view taken substantially onthe line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of one of the switch contacting discs;

Fig. 6 is a. side elevation of one of the short circuitingr discs; and

vFig. 7 is a side elevation oi one of the insulating washers whichseparate the cone tact discs. y

Referring to Fig. 1. the numeral 1 indicates a supporting panelpreferably made of insulating material, to which is attached one of theend plates or frames 2 of the switch structure; this frame is connectedwith the opposite end frame 3 by means of longitudinal supporting pieces4. 5, 6 and 7. Passingthrough the central points of the end frames 2 and3 is the longitudinal shaft 8 ll). This terminates in the lett hand endin a reduced portion 9 on which is secured the operating` handle 10. Thehub oi said handle vis'pre'ferablv provided Ywith a pointer 11 toindicate the positions ot' the handle. The shaft 8 is screw threaded oueach rend as indicated at 12 and 13, and is surrounded by insulatingsleeve lll. On the screw threaded portion 13 is a disc 15 which isadapted to be retained rigidly in position by aL pin 16' or othersuitable means. The screw threaded portion 12 of shaft 8 also carries adiscl' aoainst which bears a retaining,r

nut 18. The left hand disc 15 is provided on its rperiphery with aseries of transverse grooves 19. shown 1n dotted lines 1n Figs. 3 and 4.andin section 1n F151. 2. These `grooves vare adapted to receive a smallroller 20. indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. mounted on the end of a springarm 21 which is attached to thc longitudinal supportingr plate .5. Thisserves to indicate to the operator when the switch has been turnedaccurately to any one ot the three positions in which it is intended tobe placed, because the roller entering the grooves retards the rotationot the switch at definitepoints. The end discs or plates 15 and 17 areconnected by longitudinal rods 22, which, passing! through correspondingholes in the various contacts discs and washers. serve to hold themaccurately in position on the shaft 8. These holes are equally spacedfrom each other so :is to permit the Contact suriace ot the conductingdiscs to be placed in dillerent ai cular positions about the slnitt whensired. The holes through the conducting discs have insulating bushinesas indicatel Q3, Figs. 5 and (i. The

end disc l5 is provided With a screr`- 2-l formme a stop to whencontacting 'Wit on the end plate Q. The Contact a switches haring b enassembled i desired relative posi-ions, the same :i e lius L t t.mounted rigidly on 'he shaft S which is in sorted l etweei the t idconducting discs Wh'ch je insulating` d indicate end o i These spring; lare mounted upon the long und (ik respectiiel, :ri

t d trom said suitable n sulziting' elicits and b above description itwill hii at have produced switch compactericient and durable d Le.

ujf be installed in n comparritiieljY sin; space, such as in areceiving' cabinet oi" a typ indicated in my eopendine' applicationSeria o. :ATDO above referred to.

flfwnie' thus described this Jform of mjy in lion. l do not irish to beunderstood as bei limited to the details ot lorm end errane'ement ofparts shown 'tor various ma;T be made by those skilled in th Withoutdepartingl trom the spirit ou scope ot my in vention conuianj'ineclaims.

Tf1/h at l claim and desire to protect by Letters Potent is:

l. switch tor controlling ay pluralitj7 oi circuits comprising, endmembers adapted to support a rotatable shafty supporting membersconnecti li s 'f end inembers a plurelitjr ot discs on said she'ttprorioed with arcuate projections. insulating; discs located between thefirst named discs and of slightlyY less radii. than the radii of saidprojections but whose redii are atei' than the rz dii o't the moinportion ot uid discs, o plurality' of uctine' brushes mounted on saidsupportinenibers and aoapted to rest on said inlatinf discs nd tocontact alterufiitolv with 'l (l said projections when said shatt. isrotated, said supnorting brushes mounted on one oit l members andcontacling` continuousljy with said projections7 a disc on said shalthaving a nliiuilitj7 ot c, cua-Le projections and brushes A supportiiomembers adapted .to conta t Wit-li last said projections While thecircuits 'through the first named brushes are made and broken.

:L switch for controlling;r a plurality of circuits compi :muy membersuoapted to support a. rotatable shaft, supporting; menibers connectingseid end members :i pluralitfT of discs on said shaft provided withembers and th said prorotated said support and contectiuggr continuoprojections.

and

A snitcli for controlline' circuits con'iprisiue', end memb pluralityors Awlapted to mort u rotatable shui't. su mortinggl mematt proiidmVwith i it he' adapted With respect through s tion, insula i nemed discs.l ot slightlyv less rai.; the radii ot' sait r than l projections butWhose radii aro greater Lhun the radii tie ot the irs-t named di aplurulity ot ductingr brushes mounted on said sup- Q members und adaptedto rest on said the main pori n i ne; discs :ind to contact alternatclj7with said projections when said shaft is rotated brushes mounted on oneol said supporting` members und contacting continuously Witxi saidprojections. a disc on said sha'tt harii g a plurality ot arcuateprojections i and brushes mounted on said supporting members adapted tocontact with last said projections While the circuits through the tiretnamed ln'ushcs are made a nd br( lien.

Ll. A switch tor controllingi a plnralitjT ot circuits comp ising` endmembers adapted to support. a rotatable shaft, supportingY merrbersconnecting soi d end members, a plu a lity ot insulated discs on saidshatt provided with arcuate projections7 a plurality7 oit conductingrushes mounted on said sujiportiue' mem )ers and adapted to contactalternately with said projections when said shaft is rotated, brushesmounted on one of said supporting members and contacting contimiousljfwith said projections.l o dise on s: ic sluilt haring cai-inning groovestherein and a follower mounted on one ot said supporting members adaptedto engage in seid grooves to indicate when the circuits through saidbrushes are made and broken.

5. A switch for controllingl` a pluri litjT ot circuits comprising, endmembers adapted to support a rotatable shalt, supporting membersconnecting said end members, a pln- 'gil rality of discs on said shaftprovided with arcuate projections, said discs being adapted to be placedin various angular positions with respect to said shaft, means extendingthrough said discs to hold the same in position, insulating discslocated between the irst named discs and of slightly less radii than theradii of said projections but Whose radii are greater th an the radii ofthe main portion of the lirst named discs, a plurality of conductingbrushes mounted on said support-- ing members and adapted to rest onsaid in sulating discs and to contact alternately with said projectionswhen said shaft is rotated, brushes mounted on one of said supportingmembers and contacting continuously with said projections, a disc onsaid shaft having a plurality of arcuate projections, brushes mounted onsaid supporting members adapted to contact With last said projectionsWhile the circuits through the first named brushes are made and broken,a disc on said shaft having eamming grooves therein and a followermounted on one of said supporting members adapted to engage in saidgrooves to indicate when the circuits through said brushes are made andbroken.

Signed at New York, N. Y., this 2nd day of February, 1927.

WILLIAM L. WALKER.

